Who We Are

Learn more

Social and cultural issues

Are women who identify as LGBTQ less likely to get a Pap test?June 2014 Cervical cancer screening saves lives. However, some groups of women may be less likely to get screened regularly. LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) women are one of those groups. This month, Women’s Health Matters spoke to Dr. Sheila Dunn, research director at the Family Practice Health Centre at Women’s College Hospital, about why all women need regular Pap tests.

What's the difference between being depressed and being sad or unhappy?March 2014 Depression is an illness, and is not the same thing as being sad or unhappy, although those feelings may be symptoms of depression. This month, Dr. Simone Vigod, a psychiatrist at Women’s College Hospital, explains that everyone experiences life’s ups and downs, but not everyone experiences depression.

What is an abusive relationship?September 2013 Most people are aware that physical violence by a spouse or partner is abusive behaviour. But abuse isn’t always physical. There are other types of abuse that occur within intimate partner relationships. In September, we spoke to Dr. Janice Du Mont, a scientist in the Violence and Health Research Program at Women’s College Research Institute, about different types of abuse.

What's the difference between "baby blues" and postpartum depression?August 2013 Women’s Health Matters spoke to Dr. Cindy-Lee Dennis, senior scientist at the Women’s College Research Institute and Shirley Brown Chair in Women’s Mental Health Research at Women’s College Hospital, about the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression.

Women and opioid addictionNov. 25, 2013 The number of patients prescribed opioid pain medications has increased considerably in recent years. Along with the increase in prescriptions, there has also been an increase in the number of people – including women – who become addicted to these medications.

Sexual assault services: how male victims use resourcesJune 28, 2013 Services for sexual assault survivors are often thought of as resources for women, and that’s not surprising given the numbers: the overwhelming majority of adult sexual assault victims are women. But recent research sheds light on how male victims of sexual assault use those services, and it shows that these resources are also valuable to men.

Income level may affect diabetes riskJan 30, 2013 The risk of developing diabetes may be significantly greater in lower income groups compared to higher income groups, a new study from Women’s College Research Institute and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences shows.

Dealing with potential stressors in Aboriginal women with HIV June 21, 2012 For National Aboriginal Awareness Day, Women’s Health Matters spoke to Dr. Anita Benoit of the Women’s College Research Institute about her research, which focuses on social indicators of stress among Aboriginal women living with HIV.

100 years of women’s healthJan. 20, 2011 A lot can be accomplished in 100 years. Especially if determined, visionary women are leading the way. That much was clear at the opening of 100 Years of Women’s College Hospital: A Photography Exhibition, on Jan. 11, 2011. The exhibit kicked off a year of events celebrating the hospital's 100th anniversary.

1,000 women tell Women’s College Hospital what they want from health care Sept. 29, 2010 Women's College Hospital asked women from across Ontario what they want from health care, and from a health-care facility. The result is A Thousand Voices for Women’s Health, reporting the results of the hospital’s survey of women’s health-care experiences, fears, needs, criticisms, hopes and desires.